Rutgers QB Philip Nelson charged with assault, victim ‘fighting for his life’

Rutgers quarterback and Minnesota transfer Philip Nelson will be formally charged with one count of first-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault for his role in the assault of former Minnesota State University, Mankato, linebacker Isaac Kolstad, according to Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett.

Kolstad is “fighting for his life” after sustaining permanent brain damage from injuries received in the alleged assault, according to Blaine Kolstad, Isaac’s father, who posted on caringbridge.org Sunday night.

"“He is currently in critical condition and fighting for his life,” Blaine Kolstad wrote. “He is young and strong, but the battle he has in front of him is enormous. … We do know that his brain did sustain permanent damage. We do not yet know to what extent and won’t for many days. He is very sick. Please pray for Isaac and all of those involved.”"

Nelson who was arrested at the scene and jailed Sunday morning on suspicion of assault was seen by Steph Stassen, a graduate student who told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that after the bars closed “all of a sudden, this guy [the second suspect police are searching for] comes out of nowhere and sucker-punches” Kolstad, but that a man she later learned was Nelson kicked Kolstad in the head “like it was a soccer ball — just out of nowhere.”

Kolstad has a three-year-old daughter and his wife is pregnant.

Nelson started nine games for Minnesota last season but transferred to Rutgers because it was a better fit in their pass-friendly offense. He must sit out this season per NCAA transfer rules, but he has bigger problems on his hands now.